New era in primary sector training

New era in primary sector training

A new industry training organisation, the Primary ITO, is being established to facilitate industry training in the agriculture, horticulture, equine, water and sports turf sectors.

On 1 October 2012, the Primary ITO will be formally recognised by the Minister for Tertiary Education, Steven Joyce, as the ITO for the primary industries sector.

The new ITO will merge the Agriculture and Horticulture ITOs and will continue to be responsible for Water Industry Training, Equine Industry Training and NZ Sports Turf training.

The move ushers in a new era in primary sector training, says Primary ITO Chief Executive Kevin Bryant.

“The Primary ITO will bring greater efficiencies and benefits for industry training and skills transfer in New Zealand’s most important industry. There’ll be more resources for training, better quality training and better outcomes. Agricultural and horticultural products account for 40% ($18.2b) of our exports. New Zealand needs a world-class training system to meet the needs of employers and cope with new technologies and innovations.”

“The Primary ITO will develop people with a transferable skillset who are capable of growing the profitability, productivity and sustainability of our industry.”

The merger of existing primary sector ITOs will allow the new body to play a greater leadership role across the primary sector, says Kevin Bryant.

“There’s a natural fit between the primary sector training organisations. We have a history of working together. The merger will enable us to be more influential and a more effective advocate for skills development across the sector.”

Under the new structure, Industry Partnership Groups (IPGs), representing various sectors of the industry, will have an important role at a governance and operational level. This will ensure that the Primary ITO is responsive to the evolving needs of New Zealand’s number one industry.

Kevin Bryant says a priority will be ensuring continuity of service to existing customers while the operational aspects of the ITOs are merged.

“From the customer’s point of view it will be ‘business as usual’ – same training adviser and same service,” says Kevin Bryant. “What customers will notice over time are improvements and efficiencies in the training system we deliver.”

The Primary ITO will be officially launched on 10 October by Steven Joyce, Minister for Tertiary Education.

A comprehensive transition plan will be implemented with most support functions and processes in place by the New Year.

ENDS

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